iPhone 6 rumors: release date, leaks, features and others

A post on Weibo that cited supply chain sources claimed that given the difficulties encountered in producing the sapphire displays and the higher cost, the phablet-sized iPhone could be produced in small quantities.

Taiwan’s Industrial and Commercial Times reported that Pegatron has received orders for 15% of the total production of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6.

Apple will reportedly manufacture 50 million iPhone units this year, including the iPhone 6, iPhone 5C and iPhone 4S.

The same publication alleged that the 4.7-inch iPhone could be unveiled in August and hit store shelves the same month, whereas the 5.5-inch phablet could be launched on the market in September.

The report added that 80 million iPhone 6 units are set to be produced.

In addition, it was reported that TSMC has provided the first batch of Touch ID fingerprint sensors set to be used in the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.

The sensors are reportedly being assembled by two of TSMC’s subsidiaries: Xintec and Suzhou Crystal Semiconductor.

The week also abounded in comparisons, leaked photos and mockups of the iPhone 6.

A parallel between a mockup of the next iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy made by Italian side Macitynet revealed that the layout is authentic, with the iPhone 6 mockup slightly smaller in terms of size and thinner.

Another comparison between an 4.7-inch ​​iPhone 6 mockup and the iPod 5G touch was provided by the same Italian site.

The design of the iPhone 6 mockup appeared to be similar to the fifth-generation iPod touch.

A 3D iPhone 6 mockup based on leaked cases and schematics was compared to several other iOS devices.

The images seemed to suggest that one-handed operation of bigger iPhones could be a bit more difficult.

Leaked images of a model of a silver version of the iPhone 6 were published by Chinese website Baidu, presenting the rumored features of the device and suggesting that it could feature an aluminum case.

Several other leaks highlighted the three color variants that the smartphone is expected to be available in: space gray, gold and silver.

Alleged pictures of silver dummies of the handset were posted online by Nowhereelse.fr.

9to5Mac published images of dummy units of the iPhone 6 in space gray, gold and silver.